As 14 Minnesota counties are facing severe drought conditions, they are being put under a primary agricultural disaster designation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 21-26 waiving trucking regulations to support Minnesota livestock producers facing a significant decrease in the availability of hay and other forage.
“When Minnesota’s farmers are struggling, all of Minnesota is struggling,” said Governor Walz. “We are doing everything we can to address the challenges our farmers, ranchers, and livestock producers are facing. I am grateful to the USDA for their recognition of the deteriorating conditions here in Minnesota.”
The Executive Order will allow for any drivers transporting hay and forage to not be bound to the time restrictions that are usually in place for transportation. This will allow for more hay and forage to be brought into counties that are suffering from the drought.
Severe drought conditions across Minnesota have resulted in a decrease of approximately 10,000 acres of harvestable hay, requiring farmers and livestock producers to travel farther distances to obtain hay and forage needed to feed their livestock. Governor Walz and state officials have met with agricultural leaders from across the state to hear how the drought has impacted them and visited affected areas to survey the drought and discuss its impact with farmers. The Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Cattlemen, Minnesota Lamb, and Wool Producers, and the Minnesota Milk Producers are all in support of emergency relief measures to increase access to livestock forage.
Executive Order 21-26 is effective immediately and remains in effect for 30 days.
